Following the success at Selhurst Park which put United sixth in the table, Red Devils boss Moyes saluted the 28-year-old England striker and believes he will only get better after putting him in the bracket of the best players in world football.

Moyes said: "He's a really important player and you think about the amount of clubs who wanted to sign him. He would have been too difficult to replace. There aren't enough top players out there that you can get cheaply or easily.

"Wayne's one of them, one of the top players. He shows it week in, week out for us and you can see the change in him - his leadership, what he's trying to bring to the team.

"We want him to keep at it and I'm sure he will. He's a boy who wants to continue to get better."

Moyes, Rooney and United now travel to Greece for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 tie against Olympiakos.

And the United chief, who has endured a difficult first term in charge following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, hopes his men can gain in belief from their victory in south London and finish the season on a high.

Moyes added: "We have a really big European tie coming up on Tuesday night and our focus goes on to that.

We wanted to win the game to make sure we go into that game in good form and confidence. It's such a big game for us.- Positive results -

"We haven't played for ten days so I wanted to make sure all the players were ready and focussed for the game and ready to perform again.

"We've a few injuries but hopefully we will get a few of them back for Tuesday. They have a chance. I have to see how Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are.

"Rafa (Rafael) as well. We'll have a look at them tomorrow and hopefully see if they can join us."